Royal Canadian Navy, 1910–1919, 1939–1945, and the Merchant Navy, 1939–1945 Rowley Murphy Seamen on Jetty Being Instructed on Bends and Hitches cwm 19710261-2401 Beaverbrook Collection of War Art Canadian War Museum warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 1 Royal Canadian Navy, 1910–1919, 1939–1945, and the Merchant Navy, 1939–1945 Introduction Prior to the creation of a Canadian navy, Britain’s Royal Navy was responsible for the military defence of Canada’s waters. This changed in 1910 when the federal government passed legislation creating the Naval Service of Canada, which became the Royal Canadian Navy (rcn) in 1911. Development and growth was initially slow and so the rcn had a limited role during the First World War. However, the Second World War created challenges and opportunities that stimulated the rcn to expand and become the fifth largest navy in the world by 1945, with approximately 1,140 vessels. By the end of the war, over 105,000 men and women had served with the rcn. Canadian and Allied merchant ships and their crews were also a vital part of the Allied war effort, transporting personnel, munitions, weapons, and food across the world’s oceans. This guide will illustrate the process of researching an individual’s service, from the essential starting point of service documents to supporting resources for detail and further discovery. Helpful hint See lac’s Military Abbreviations used in Service Files page. warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 2 First World War, 1914–1919 The Royal Canadian Navy (rcn) was established with Service Files of the Royal Canadian Navy, 1910–1941 a Naval Reserve Force, a Naval Volunteer Force, and — Ledger Sheets: The Navy maintained employment a Naval College. In 1916, Canada offered to supply information on officers, sailors, and cadets who sailors to the Royal Navy and an Overseas Division served in the rcn, and the Volunteer Reserve. Each was created, which soon increased the strength of sheet included a summary of the individual’s personal the rcn from several hundred to about 1,000 men. information including date and place of birth, next- In total, approximately 8,800 men served in the of-kin, and physical description. Service information rcn and the Reserves during the war. All of Canada’s included date and period of engagement, postings naval personnel records for the First World War are to ships and shore establishments, rating (or rank held by Library and Archives Canada (lac). for commissioned officers), medical reports, honours and awards, and discharge or date of death. Arthur Lismer Olympic with Returned Soldiers cwm 19710261-0343 Beaverbrook Collection of War Art Canadian War Museum warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 3 A searchable index to the service ledgers is available The files include various forms and correspondence online through lac’s Military Heritage portal. that document service during the war and may also Personnel Files of the Royal Naval Canadian contain information on family, medals, prize money, Volunteer Reserve, 1914–1919: These service files discharge, and other matters that often post-date are searchable by surname at lac under Online the war. Some forms may have been completed by a Research > Archives Search. sailor’s dependent, such as the separation allowance for a mother or wife. Limits of Documentation: Wartime records were created and kept for specific purposes, with contemporary ideas of importance. For example, ethnic origin was not recorded and a hometown might only be inferred through the address of next of kin, who may only be identified as Mrs. [husband’s name]. The language of administrative documentation was almost always English, regardless of the preferred language of the service person. In addition, some underage and overage soldiers gave a second name, while some names were misspelled in the administrative process. Second World War, 1939–1945 Following the outbreak of the Second World War see lac’s Requests for Military Service Files page for in September 1939 the rcn expanded rapidly and the rules and procedures when accessing non-open played a significant role in the Battle of the Atlantic, records. Records of those who died in service between convoy escort, and support. By 1945, over 96,000 1939 and 1947 are available without restriction. men and 7,000 women had served in the rcn. Merchant Navy (or Merchant Marine) ships were the lifeline between North America and Britain, transporting men and supplies for the fighting forces and food for the United Kingdom. The harsh conditions of the North Atlantic plus ever- present enemy U-boats made the shipment of needed supplies made for a dangerous and deadly occupation. Approximately 12,000 men and women served in the Merchant Navy between 1939 and 1945. Service files for those who served with the rcn and the two Reserves during the war are held by A group of Canadian naval personnel, including members of the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service, celebrating Library and Archives Canada (lac). All post-1919 V-E Day near Piccadilly Circus in London, England service files are subject to privacy legislation; cwm 19790488-010_2 George Metcalf Archival Collection Canadian War Museum warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 4 Second World War service records contain Veterans Affairs Canada also keeps some considerable detail relating to an individual’s information on those that served with the Merchant personal and family information. Files also include Navy. The information may include a sailor’s name, various forms and correspondence relating to their birthplace, age, rank or occupation, next of kin, pre-war occupational history, medical history and and a summary of correspondence. Some records treatment if wounded or ill, medals, last pay, final also have the individual’s Application for Merchant discharge and estate documents for those who died Seaman’s Identity Certificate, which includes a during service. These documents contain information photograph and fingerprints. As service information on rating (or rank), occupation, family, education, is subject to privacy legislation, an Access To training, medals and awards, and postings to ships Information and Privacy (atip) request must be sent or shore establishments. to Veterans Affairs Canada > Other Inquiries > atip. Crew members of Merchant Navy signed an Article of Agreement with the master of a vessel instead of enlisting with the rcn. This means that there are no service files for those who served in the Merchant Navy. However, search ‘Merchant Navy’ in lac’s homepage search bar to discover resources such as ships logs, crew lists, and Articles of Agreement. Donald Mackay Tatooing cwm 19710261-4259 Beaverbrook Collection of War Art Canadian War Museum Four young seamen painting a Life Raft of the SS Temegami while it sails the Indian Ocean cwm 20010110-002 George Metcalf Archival Collection Canadian War Museum warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 5 Museum Resources The Military History Research Centre (mhrc) at Try these search terms: Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian War Museum is the location of the Merchant Marine*, vessel*, 1914–1919, 1939–1945 Hartland Molson Library and the George Metcalf During the mhrc hours of operation the library Archival Collection, both of which can be searched is open to browse and archival consultation online through the mhrc catalogue. Consulting appointments can be booked. To request archival a ship’s history, if one exists, can yield much of material, contact [email protected] with the event and experience detail not recorded in your name, preferred date(s), and the catalogue service files. The Navy List was published monthly control and call number for each item requested. throughout both wars, and includes the name, Most library material is also available throughout rank and seniority of officers as well as a list of all Canada by interlibrary loan. Research copies or Canadian ships, shore establishments, and officers high-resolution images can also be ordered. assigned to them. The library also offers items relating to uniforms, equipment, training manuals, The artifact collections of the Canadian War Museum, and specific books related to many aspects of service. from cap badges to tanks, can be searched online The museum’s archives are predominantly personal through the artifact catalogue. This catalogue is the in nature and can add an intimate perspective to the access point for the war art held by the museum, over official documentation held by lac. 13,000 pieces, including depictions of individuals, ships, battles, hospitals, etc. The museum’s Learn Tip: Search by ship, shore establishment, hospital, portal also offers resources including online or any other detail from a service file to discover exhibitions and a text-searchable collection of over histories, newsletters, diaries, personal photo 140,000 Second World War newspaper clippings. albums, etc. Donald Mackay Examination Officer Merchant Ship cwm 19710261-4218 Beaverbrook Collection of War Art Canadian War Museum warmuseum.ca/learn Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Navy 6 Service Medals, Decorations of Honour, and Awards Military medals were awarded according to specific and the Victory Medal. For the Second World War, criteria and convey particular meanings. Pins and members of the rcn may have received the 1939–1945 badges could also serve similar functions. Service Star, one or more Stars for service in the Atlantic, (or campaign) medals recognized time and place Arctic, Africa, Pacific, Burma, Italy, or France of service, meritorious service decorations were and Germany, the Defence Medal, the Canadian awarded for exemplary acts, and valour (or gallantry) Volunteer Service Medal (cvsm), and the War Medal decorations were awarded for demonstrated courage. 1939–1945. Valour awards for both wars include the Commemorative medals such as non-military Victoria Cross (vc), the Distinguished Service Cross “welcome home” medals were also popular.